–Shah warns citizens of prolonged pandemic if local transmissions not stopped
KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister (CM) Syed Murad Ali Shah on Wednesday called for strict observance of government issued standard of procedures (SOPs) as the daily new cases tally touched 731.
“As many as 731 news cases of coronavirus were diagnosed out of 4,223 samples tested in the past 24 hours, taking the tally of total cases in the province to 13,341 and death toll to 234. This shows that still, we are facing an upsurge in infections and deaths which calls for observance of SOPs by the masses in true letter and spirit,” he said in a statement issued by the CM House.
“We have to contain it with our collective efforts,” he said, adding that the new cases make 17.3 per cent of the total people who were tested.
Shah said that the ratio of positive cases will increase as the provincial government continues to increase its testing capacity.
The Sindh Health Department has so far conducted 103,340 tests and diagnosed 13,341 cases which make 12.9 per cent of the total tests whereas, with the death of 16 more patients on Wednesday, the death toll now stands at 234 or 1.7 per cent.
“With the blessings of Allah Almighty, our death ratio is comparatively low and we are making efforts to control it by enforcing SOPs,” Shah said.
Similarly, 10,272 patients were under treatment in the province, 8,840 patients or 86 per cent of the total were in home isolation being looked after by doctors available on phone, 919 at Isolation Centers and 513 in different hospitals.
On the other hand, 606 patients recovered and returned to their homes. With the recovery of 2,835 patients so far, the recovery ratio stands at 21.3 per cent which the CM said was encouraging but needed improvement. “However, this will only be possible when the people start getting themselves tested voluntarily,” he added.
Shah said that out of 731 coronavirus cases, Karachi had 585, including 140 in District East, 127 in District South, 116 in Malir, 85 in Central, 60 in West, and 57 in Korangi.
He said the death frequency showed that 4.6 per cent patients, who were less likely to survive, were between 51 to 60 years of age, 8.5 per cent between 61 to 70 years, 11.5 per cent between 71 to 80 years and 22.5 per cent 81 and above.
Sharing gender distribution of dead, he said 76 per cent were male and 24 per cent female.
Talking about other districts of the province, the chief minister said that 24 coronavirus cases were detected in Larkana, 22 in Hyderabad, 14 in Ghotki, 10 in Sukkur, eight in Kandhkot-Kashmore, seven in Shikarpur, five in Shaheed Benazirabad, four each in Sujawal and Tando Mohammad Khan, two each in Jacobabad and Naushehroferoze, and one each in Umerkot, Khairpur, Kambar-Shahdadkot and Jamshoro.
Expressing worry over experts’ prediction that the month of May would see an upsurge in the coronavirus cases, Shah warned the citizens of the looming danger.
“We eased the lockdown on the assurance of traders and people who promised that the SOPs for social distancing which include wearing masks and avoiding crowds would be followed but the results are contrary to their words,” he deplored.
“We will not be able to get rid of the on-going pandemic if this attitude prevails,” the CM warned.
